February 24, 2014

In 1985, architect Paul Pholeros was challenged by the director of an Aboriginal-controlled health service to "stop people getting sick" in a small indigenous community in south Australia. The key insights: think beyond medicine and fix the local environment. In this sparky, interactive talk, Pholeros describes projects undertaken by Healthabitat, the organization he now runs to help reduce poverty--through practical design fixes--in Australia and beyond. (Filmed at TEDxSydney.)

Paul Pholeros is a director of Healthabitat, a longstanding effort to improve the health of indigenous people by fixing their living environment and housing.

February 17, 2014

Designer Alastair Parvin presents a simple but provocative idea: what if, instead of architects creating buildings for those who can afford to commission them, regular citizens could design and build their own houses? The concept is at the heart of WikiHouse, an open source construction kit that means just about anyone can build a house, anywhere.

Alastair Parvin believes in making architecture accessible to 100 percent of the population.

February 10, 2014

Because of poor acoustics, students in classrooms miss 50 percent of what their teachers say and patients in hospitals have trouble sleeping because they continually feel stressed. Julian Treasure sounds a call to action for designers to pay attention to the “invisible architecture” of sound.

Julian Treasure studies sound and advises businesses on how best to use it.

February 6, 2014

Daniel Libeskind is a master architect. His works are visually arresting, full of life and interesting geometrical dynamics. From the amazing Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany to the elegant and bendy Reflections at Keppel Bay in Singapore, Libeskind has crafted striking, unforgettable buildings that define an age.

Giorgio Armani is a master designer whose specialty is distinctive fashion and home interiors. Armani/Casa, the interior design branch of Armani, has created numerous memorable interiors all over the world, from the Maçka Residences in Istanbul to the World Towers in Mumbai.

Both designers come together on one of South East Asia’s newest luxury residential towers: Century Spire in Makati, Philippines. And behind this branding masterstroke is Robbie Antonio, managing director of Century Properties.

With Libeskind, Antonio was excited for an architectural statement – something iconic that would put the city firmly on the map. He got it in Libeskind’s unique interpretation of a spire.

“When most people think of a spire, they think of a needle-shaped roof,” says Antonio. “Daniel Libeskind is the opposite. He comes up with his own interpretation. That’s why Century Spire is what it is. It’s something different.”

True enough, rather than taper off into a thin pinnacle Century Spire does the opposite and blossoms out like a flower.

“The design is so bold and sleek we wanted to partner with an interior design firm that would do justice to the amazing external design. Armani/Casa perfectly fit the bill.”

Spire’s interior designs look right at home in the building. The pool, juice bar and other amenities exhibit warm, smooth colors that exude a streamlined and classy vibe.

“It’s a wonderful marriage of form, features, and function,” says Antonio. “We’re really excited to bring the Libeskind and Armani/Casa experience to Metro Manila for people – both local and foreign – to behold and enjoy.”

February 3, 2014

In this funny and insightful talk, builder Dan Phillips tours us through a dozen homes he's built in Texas using recycled and reclaimed materials in wildly creative ways. Brilliant, low-tech design details will refresh your own creative drive. (Filmed at TEDxHouston.)

Dan Phillips builds homes out of recycled and reclaimed materials in Huntsville, Texas.